[havartart]

I was hoping to change careers from truck driving to computers but don't know the best way to get my foot in the door. I have a Bachelors Degree in General Studies and no IT experience. I know the basic stuff like I built probably 20 computers since the 90's and did some trouble shooting, that's it. Which would be better-go back to school and get an associate or bachelor's degree in computer science, go to a tech school like techskills or equivalent, or just buy some text books and study myself and go take the certification exams. Which ones could I do myself if possible. I just lost my truck driving job and need the fastest way in as I am supporting a family. I can't stand truck driving but it was easy to find a job in. How has the job market been lately for IT and what can I expect to earn on my first job. Which career path should I take? I don't think I would like Web page design, but anything else I would be interested in. Which jobs are in the most demand.

[Trotter]

Go with the certs. Many colleges offer cert programs... basically you take classes to prepare for the exams. My local community college has a one year cert program that nets you seven or eight certs.

[Law]

Originally Posted by havartart

I was hoping to change careers from truck driving to computers but don't know the best way to get my foot in the door. I have a Bachelors Degree in General Studies and no IT experience. I know the basic stuff like I built probably 20 computers since the 90's and did some trouble shooting, that's it. Which would be better-go back to school and get an associate or bachelor's degree in computer science, go to a tech school like techskills or equivalent, or just buy some text books and study myself and go take the certification exams. Which ones could I do myself if possible. I just lost my truck driving job and need the fastest way in as I am supporting a family. I can't stand truck driving but it was easy to find a job in. How has the job market been lately for IT and what can I expect to earn on my first job. Which career path should I take? I don't think I would like Web page design, but anything else I would be interested in. Which jobs are in the most demand.

I would recommend doing both, going for 4 year in the IT field while studying for your certification exam. I see a lot of request for Database administrator, it's probably one of the hottest job out there. SQL database manager pays very well. I myself have little experience with SQL, been working with MySQL a couple of time. The quickest way to start off is entry level jobs like computer technician and help desk support. These position with the right certification (CompTIA A+ and Network+) will pay you around $15 to $20 an hour. Go further if you like to work with computers and networking, get some Cisco certification like the CCNA and Microsoft cert and you'll probably be making 50k to 60k a year. Very good living if you are in the IT field, depending on your level of experience and qualification. My university divides their course into two, network engineer and software engineer. I took the network engineer path. They taught computer technician class which prepare me for the A+ cert, CCNA course which prepare me for the CCNA and Network+ cert, Windows 2000/2003 server and 2000/XP Pro which prepare me for MCSA and some part of the MCSE. A lot Linux stuff, SQL, Wireless class that prepare for CWNA and security courses.

[havartart]

I am interested in becoming CCNA certified but most networking jobs require experience. How do you get experience in cisco networking doing help desk or as a computer technician. Looking through all the help wanted ads I haven't seen any help desk jobs that deal with cisco networks. I don't want a dead end job as a help desk pro.

[Law]

You just work your way up, I'm pretty sure everyone has to start off doing help desk or something close. I understand that it's hard for an adult who have a family but this industry is competitive. $11 -$15/hr is probably not going to satisfied many people but this is the rate companies pay for entry level position.

You start of with the basic, mainly Network+ level. You go get CCNA certified. Ask for a higher position, if they don't give it to you, move on. With a CCNA certs and some working experience behind you, you should find a good networking position. You have to dig hard.

Also, CCNA is not a joke. I've been in the networking field for over 3 years and I failed this cert twice before passing the third time.